If you were found with a gun that wasn’t yours, it can still lead to criminal charges.  In fact, many situations can result in even more charges if the gun isn’t yours. If you were found in possession of a gun that wasn’t yours, and that possession was illegal or you used the gun to […]

Drunk driving may seem like it is just a more severe traffic offense, but the penalties for DUI are truly criminal penalties.  You should always take these cases seriously and work with a lawyer to defend you and potentially work to get charges reduced or dismissed. Under RCW 46.61.5055, the penalties for a DUI conviction […]

Dealing with domestic violence charges can be difficult. Not only might you face serious criminal penalties, including jail time, but you might be unable to see your children or other family members while your case is pending. Even so, our legal team may be able to help you fight your charges and possibly see your […]

Drivers in Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, and across Pierce County often ask: Do I have to stop at a DUI checkpoint? Could refusing to comply make things worse? The answer is straightforward but surprising to many. Unlike some other states, Washington law currently prohibits sobriety checkpoints. Below, our Pierce County DUI defense attorneys explain what this […]

If you are stopped in Tacoma or elsewhere in Pierce County on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), one of the first questions you may face is: Do I have to take a breathalyzer test? Many drivers wonder whether refusing the test will help them avoid a DUI conviction. The truth is more complicated. […]

If police stop you in Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, or anywhere in Pierce County for suspected driving under the influence (DUI), you may face this critical question: Do I have to give a blood sample if they ask? The answer is not always simple. Washington law handles blood draws differently than breath tests. Officers must follow […]

Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most common criminal charges in Washington. For many people, a DUI arrest is their first experience with the criminal justice system. Understandably, the biggest question defendants ask is: What is the most common sentence for a first DUI in Washington? While the exact outcome depends on […]

A DUI in Washington is a serious criminal charge with lasting consequences. However, not every DUI charge ends in a conviction for driving under the influence. Depending on the facts, your history, and the prosecutor’s discretion, a DUI may sometimes be reduced to a lesser charge. In Tacoma, Pierce County, and across Washington State, the […]

Driving under the influence (DUI) in Washington is a serious criminal charge under RCW 46.61.502. Most DUI arrests in Washington are charged as gross misdemeanors, but under certain circumstances a DUI can be elevated to a felony. Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony DUI depends on your prior record and the details […]

Many people believe domestic violence charges only apply when someone is physically hurt. In Washington State, that is not the case. Domestic violence is not a single offense. Instead, it is a legal label attached to certain crimes when they involve an intimate partner, family member, or household member, according to RCW 10.99.020(4). This means […]